November 01, 2016

Put Down That Sharpie!

"And I would see that I’m precious, and I would know that I’m prized. ’Cause I know your love never changes, if I could look through your eyes." —(from the song “If I Could Look Through Your Eyes” by Andrew Martin).

Fashion model and blogger Lauren Scruggs gained international fame in 2011, but not in a way any parent would want. After taking a plane flight to see Christmas lights around Dallas, she exited the aircraft and walked into its propeller. Doctors couldn’t save her left eye or hand.

At first, Lauren was angry, even falling into despair. But her father, Jeff, read the Bible to her and reminded her that God had a plan for her life.

Healing took time. Lauren went from seeing herself as ugly to seeing herself through God’s eyes: “I think I’m seeing that this life is way bigger than me and that a lot of things that I held important earlier, even in my career, were quite shallow,” Lauren said.

As parents, you may sometimes feel that you have a better plan for your children. One that avoids pain and hardships. Or perhaps you have different dreams for them—maybe to be a successful doctor or accountant— so you steer them in those directions rather than humbling yourself before the Lord to discover His plan.

Trying to improve on God’s plan for your child is like trying to improve a Picasso using a Sharpie. You’re going to mess up a masterpiece.

God wants you to view your children through His eyes. Only He knows the best way for them to live fulfilled and abundant lives.